Exercise device for muscles and tendons of the elbow joint

ABSTRACT

An exercise device for strengthening the small muscles and tendons that stabilize the inner and outer parts of the elbow includes a hollow outer housing, an inner housing adapted to slide into and out of the hollow outer housing, a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing, a connector secured to the inner housing and passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing, and the inner housing is adapted to slide from a retracted position to an extended position against the resistance provided by one or more elastic bands.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/317,956 filed Mar. 26, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to exercising devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercising device for strengthening the small muscles and tendons of the elbow.

Daily activities are usually sufficient to keep the large muscles and tendons of the arm in good shape. On the contrary, small stabilizing muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow joint are not exercised by the daily activities. As a result the small muscles and tendons tend to weaken more rapidly with age becoming more susceptible to overstress and damage.

The sports of tennis and golf require unusual arm motions that place considerable stress on the player's elbow joints. The stress may damage the small muscles and small tendons of the elbow joint producing pain, swelling, and poor performance by the player. This condition is known as “tennis elbow” if it affects the external part of the elbow or “golfer's elbow” if it affects the inner part of the elbow. Currently, there are pluralities of arm exercise devices. Unfortunately, the current arm exercise devices do not strengthen the small muscles and tendons that surround the elbow joint.

As can be seen, there is a need for arm exercise devices and methods that specifically strengthen and stabilize the small muscles and tendons of the elbow joint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an exercise device for small muscles and tendons that surround and stabilize an elbow joint, the exercise device includes a hollow outer housing, an inner housing adapted to slide into and out of the hollow outer housing, a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing, a connector secured to the inner housing and passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing, and the inner housing is adapted to slide from a retracted position to a fully extended position against resistance provided by the elastic bands.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for isolating strengthening and exercising muscles and tendons of an elbow joint including the steps of providing to a user an exercise device having a hollow outer housing, an inner housing sliding into and out of the hollow outer housing, a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing, a connector secured to the inner housing and passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing and sliding the inner housing from a retracted position to an extended position through and beyond the hollow outer housing

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of an exercise device for muscles and tendons of the elbow joint according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the exercise device in a retracted position;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of the exercise device of FIG. 1 showing the exercise device in an extended position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of an exercise device for muscles and tendons of the elbow joint according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the exercise device in a retracted position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective front view of the exercise device of FIG. 3 showing the exercise device in an extended position;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exercise device taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective front view of the exercise device of FIG. 1 showing hand grips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides an exercise device for strengthening the small muscles and tendons that stabilize the inner and outer aspects of the elbow. The exercise device of the present invention may isolate and work the small stabilizing muscles of the elbow joint preventing the damage associated with tennis and or golfer's elbow. In addition, the exercise device may improve the functions of these muscles during participation in the sports of golf and tennis.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device 10 for muscles and tendons of the elbow joint according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The exercise device 10 may include a hollow outer housing 16, an inner housing 20 sliding into and out of the hollow outer housing 16. A plurality of elastic bands 24 may be placed inside the inner housing 20 and connected to an end of the hollow outer housing 16. A slot 18 may be located along the hollow outer housing 16. A handle 12 may be connected to the inner housing 20. The handle 12 may help the user 32 to slide the inner housing 20 through the hollow outer housing 16 from a retracted position shown on FIG. 1 to an extended position shown on FIG. 2.

The hollow outer housing 16 and the inner housing 20 may be made of a sturdy material. In some embodiments, the hollow outer housing 16 and the inner housing 20 may be made of metal, plastic, composite material, fiber reinforced material, wood, polymer, or resin. The hollow outer housing 16 and the inner housing 20 may have a geometrical shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the hollow outer housing 16 and the inner housing 20 may be a cylinder, a square, a rectangle, an oval, or a triangle. In some embodiments, the handle 12 may be of cylindrical shape and size so as to resemble the handle of a golf club or a tennis racket.

The inner housing 20 may slide freely inside the hollow outer housing 16. In addition, the inner housing 20 may telescope beyond the hollow outer housing 16. The elastic bands 24 may run through the length of the inner housing 20, exit through one of the ends of the inner housing 20 and the hollow outer housing 16, turn in a 180 degree direction, and then be affixed to the outer side of the hollow outer housing 16. In some embodiments, the elastic bands 24 may be affixed to the outer side of the hollow outer housing 16 by using a constricting band made of rubber, hook and loop, or material with an equivalent constricting and stabilizing function. In some embodiments, the elastic bands 24 may be bungee cords. The number of elastic bands 24 placed in the inner housing 20 may depend on the amount of resistance required by the user 32. The elastic bands 24 may provide resistance to the user 32 while sliding the inner housing 20 out of the hollow outer housing 16. One of the ends of the elastic bands 24 may be tied together and then secured to one of the ends of the inner housing 20 to prevent the elastic bands 24 from retracting inside the inner housing. In some embodiments, the ends of the elastic bands 24 may be secured to the end of the inner housing by a fastening system 26, 28. In some embodiments, the fastening system 26, 28 may include a washer or grommet and a shoulder washer system. The length of the inner housing 20 may be extended so that it protrudes from the outer housing 16 sufficiently to allow the fastening of the elastic bands 24 to be covered by a rubber crutch tip 38 of appropriate size. An opening 22 may be provided on the inner housing 20. The opening 22 may be placed near one of the ends of the inner housing 20. A connector 30 may have one end attached to the inner housing 20 and the other end attached to the handle 12. The connector 30 may be an L-shaped connector having an arm perpendicularly mounted to a rod.

The arm may be secured to an orifice 14 on the handle 12. In some embodiments, the arm may include protrusions that mates with the opening 14 on the handle 12. The rod may be secured to the opening 22 of the inner housing 20. The connector 30 may be made of plastic or metal. In some embodiments, the arm and rod of the T-shaped connector may be made of the same material or may be made of different materials. The rod may be a rib-neck carriage bolt with a series of cylindrical protrusions just below the head. The protrusions may ensure that the head of the “T” may not rotate.

In some embodiments, the connector 30 may be permanently fixed to the inner housing 20. In some embodiments, the connector 30 may be removable-secured to the inner housing 20. In some embodiments, the opening 22 may be a threaded opening and the connector 30 may have a threaded end that matches the threads of the opening 22.

The handle 12 may be grasped by the user 32 to slide the inner housing 20 through the hollow outer housing 16. The handle 12 may include a lightly flared distal end and a grasping means (not shown) to help the user 32 to grasp the handle 12.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the exercise device 10 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the exercise device 10 may be used in the opposite direction to exercise the muscles and tendons of the inner aspect of the elbow joint such as are stressed in a swing of a golfing club by a golfer.

As can be seen on FIG. 5, an anti-friction insert 34 may be on the inside section of one end of the hollow outer housing 16. The anti-friction insert 34 may reduce the friction at a contact point between the inner housing 20 and an inside end of the outer housing 16 as the inner housing 20 may be pushed inside the outer housing 16.

The inner housing 20 may slide from the retracted position to the fully extended position by sliding the connector 30 through the slot 18 of the hollow outer housing 16.

The handle 12 may be grasped by a user's hand attached to the arm on the side of the elbow to be strengthened. In addition, the handle may be grasped as close to its distal end as may be comfortable with the thumb and fingers positioned as if it were the handle of a tennis racquet or a golf club.

As can be seen on FIG. 7, grip handles 36 may be add to the ends of the outer housing 16 to improve the grip of the exercise device 10. In some embodiment, the grip handles 36 may be made of soft rubber.

To use the exercise device 10, the user 32 may grasp the grip handle 36 at one end of the hollow outer housing 16 with the non-dominant hand. Then, the user may hold the exercise device 10 in a horizontal position and with the non-dominant hand positioned between 6 and 18 inches away from the front of his/her hip on the side of the arm to be exercised. Using the hand to be exercised to grip the handle 12 firmly, the user 32 may push the connector 30 along the slot 18 against the resistance provided by the bungee cords.

This motion may replicate the elbow and shoulder motions required during tennis backhands and a golfer's “draw back”. The complimentary motion transpires when the opposite end of the outer housing 16 is grasped by the non-dominant hand and the dominant hand draws the connector 30 towards the body. This action may replicate the elbow and shoulder motions required during a golfer's swing and a tennis player's serve and forehand.

In addition, the exercise device 10 of the present invention may be used to provide rehabilitation to patients having pain and difficulty moving their arms because of damage to the small muscles and tendons that surround and stabilize the elbow. The rehabilitation is provided by forcing the painful muscle/tendon complex to undergo contractions against incrementally increasing resistance with said contractions oriented parallel to the usual physiological direction and mode for that muscle/tendon complex

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. An exercise device for small muscles and tendons that surround and stabilize an elbow joint, the exercise device comprising: a hollow outer housing having a first end, a second end, and sidewalls; an inner housing adapted to slide into and out of the hollow outer housing, the inner housing having an interior, a first end, a second end, and a length; a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, the plurality of elastic bands having a first end connected to the first end of the hollow outer housing and a second end connected to the second end of the inner housing; a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing; and a connector having a first end secured to the inner housing and a second end passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing; wherein the inner housing is adapted to slide from a retracted position to a fully extended position against resistance provided by the elastic bands.
 2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic bands run through the length of the inner housing, exit through the first end of the inner housing and the first end of the hollow outer housing, turn in a 180 degree direction, and then are secured to the first end of the hollow outer housing.
 3. The exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic bands are bungee cords.
 4. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the second ends of the elastic bands are secured together.
 5. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the exercise device further includes a handle connected to the second end of the connector.
 6. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a T-shape.
 7. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is removable.
 8. The exercise device according to claim 1, further including an anti-friction insert between the outer housing and the inner housing.
 9. A method for isolating and strengthening muscles and tendons of an elbow joint, the method comprising the steps of: providing to a user an exercise device having a hollow outer housing having a first end, a second end, and sidewalls, an inner housing sliding into and out of the hollow outer housing, the inner housing having an interior, a first end, a second end, and a length, a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, the plurality of elastic bands having a first end connected to the first end of the hollow outer housing and a second end, a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing, a connector having a first end secured to the inner housing and a second end passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing; and sliding the inner housing from a retracted position to an extended position through and beyond the hollow outer housing.
 10. The method according to claim 10, wherein the elastic bands run through the length of the inner housing, exit through the first end of the inner housing and the first end of the hollow outer housing, turn in a 180 degree direction, and then are secured to the first end of the hollow outer housing. 